Wednesday, May 06, 2009

MAKING GROWN MEN CRY AND OTHER WORTHWHILE ACOMPLISHMENTS...

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE LETTING YOUR REVISED MANUSCRIPT SIT...


And you answer emails and apologize for making readers cry.
It occurred to me that I may be misunderstanding.
They may not be crying because my words resonated with them.
They may be crying for other reasons...

Dear Ms. Wood,
Your book was okay. I really cried while I read it because my cat died the day before.
I loved that cat...

Dear Ms. Wood,
Your book was not all that great but I found myself crying because I had just peeled 32 onions...

Dear Ms. Wood,
Your book was adequate but I just had to tell you I cried all the way through because of your use of language. It's so sad to see split infinitives. They're so lonely...

Dear Ms. Wood,
I was going to tell you I liked your book because I cried while I was reading It but then I realized I hadn't stopped crying after reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. It wasn't your book at all...

It could be worse.
I could be getting letters from TOOLOOSE.

DER MZ WOD,

I CRID BECUZ THER WAZ NO CAT FUD.
I DID NUT RED YOR BOOK.
YR CAT,
TOOLOOSE

P S ( IF YOU FEED ME I WIL RED IT MAYBEE...)

12 comments:

D. Robert Pease said...

As one of the original grown men crybabies, I say don't sell yourself short. It's been a while since I read LOTTERY, but I don't remember any onions, dead cats, or any such external influences being anywhere in the vicinity. I cried, honest to goodness, yet I still consider myself a real man, tears. Sorry to shoot holes in your theory.

JKB said...

I bawled.

*Because* of your book, :)

Kezzie said...

Patricia I am currently holidaying in South Africa, your book was introduced to me by a very dear friend. I must say I did cry and the book was all that and more. Your tender approach made the book an easy read. Lottery is a story that reminds me so much of my years growing up. I have a brother like Perry, the gentlest most lovable guy you could ever meet, his days are filled with fund raising for the disabled, my brother Keith can neather read or write but to all and sundry, apart from a shuffle when he walks he looks just like you or I. Continued success with your writing I will certainly be in pursuit of your next adventure. Kez, an Aussie holidaying in Sth Africa.

ORION said...

Oh my goodness...what lovely comments to wake up to!
It's interesting to me how authors are able to get the reader's emotional roller coaster going.
One of my favorite authors is John irving and he can get me to sob instantly-
maybe its the combination of humor and pathos...

Bookfool said...

I cried for real, too. And, since you've made my "Authors I Wish Would Hurry Up and Publish Another Book" list at least once, I already know I will cry with joy when I see your next book.

ORION said...

its coming its coming...
If it's any solace I've already made MYSELF cry numerous times while revising...

Heidi Willis said...

it was definitely the book.

Definitely.

Holly Kennedy said...

All I know is I often FEEL like crying when crafting a novel, letting it sit, revising it...
As a reader, though, there's nothing more fulfilling than a book that tears you up :)

Sandra Cormier said...

I cried while reading your book because I wanted to get every word and forgot to blink. The crying helped so I could focus and read some more.

Kanani said...

Ha! Good one!!

Chris Eldin said...

How the heck are ya!!!!

Just trying to get into a blogging routine again. Will be over more frequently now.

:-)

Unknown said...

Your book was fantabulous! I gave copies of it to several friends at Christmas! But, I'm dying of curiosity--did you read Garth Stein's "The Art of Racing in the Rain"? I'm guessing so since you mentioned it. It was also on my list of top 5 books I read last year--but I only gave YOUR book to my friends!!!

So, if you read it, did you love it as much as I did? I confess, my husband has tortured me with all types of racing and racing lore for the last 16 years, so I found a lot of truth in the book outside of the drama. And, I loved Enzo. (Hubby races go-karts--the kind that exceed 140 mph.)

Still think Tooloose needs a book of his own!